Sunday Cigar

Alec Bradley Mundial

Published

2 months ago

August 16, 2020

Juan Sanchez

Alec Bradley Mundial, Photography by Amon Focus

Cigar Details

Wrapper: Honduran
Binder: Honduran/ Nicaraguan
Filler: Honduras/ Nicaraguan

Alec Bradley is a brand in Cigars that has grown its own identity over time. Allen Rubin has done a good job of spreading the portfolio in to an intricate spectrum of taste. The Mundial is no different. The subtlety complex and progressive nature of the perfecto made me a fan early on.

Alec Bradley which is named after Allen’s children (Alec and Bradley) who are now young adults has created interesting blends with interesting vitolas. Reminiscent of the Tempus that AB created a half a decade earlier; its notes are of dark chocolate and pepper.

I had an opportunity to smoke with Allen in 2015 when he partnered with Mickey Blakes in Milford Connecticut. My boy Luis Rodriguez invited me up and I was honored to be in attendance. It was an amazing event with a packed house of about 250 people. After the event we hung out, had drinks and cigars. As the night went on and drinks were had, Allen opened up about his perspective of the industry and about the future. It wasn’t on a soap box or an inspirational speech, it was about how easy it is to lose our industry. Although I can’t remember a lot of what he actually said, when he spoke no one interrupted. We all nodded in agreement every time he made a point. It felt like a mob scene when the head of the outfit is talking and his organization are gathered around him like mannequins.

The sun came up and we all looked at each other in amazement that it was light out. We had gone 12 hours between the event and hanging. Guys from different walks of life who were fortunate enough to be under the same roof at the same time, smoking cigars and enjoying spirits.

In this episode we talk about attractive cigar bands, cutting the cigar, the Cuban cut, taste, what we pick up, pairing and hanging out with Allen Rubin at Mickey Blakes staff.

If there are words or terms that you’re unfamiliar within this episode, we highly recommend you check out the Sunday Cigar Glossary.

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We would love to hear your thoughts on the episode. Leave a comment on the Apple Podcast App and don’t forget to rate the show.

Sunday Cigar

Rocky Patel Grand Reserve

Published

1 month ago

September 6, 2020

Juan Sanchez

Rocky Patel Grand Reserve

Cigar Details

Wrapper: Undisclosed
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed

In this recap of the season we talk about Amon’s Cigaragua experience, lighting a cigar, helping combustion, passion, customer service, cigar ettiequte when entering a humidor, duty free, Hand Rolled: A Film About Cigars, Lost City (film), Grand Closing as well as Cigars and Therapy.

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We would love to hear your thoughts on the episode. Leave a comment on the Apple Podcast App and don’t forget to rate the show.

Sunday Cigar

My Father Le Bijou

Published

2 months ago

August 30, 2020

Juan Sanchez

My Father Le Bijou, Photography by Amon Focus

Cigar Details

Wrapper: Habano Oscuro/Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

The My Father Le Bijou is one of my favorite go to medium to full bodied cigars on the planet. Top 5 in my book. Not only is the cigar great but it ages fantastically. This is a complex smoke and one of the first few cigars that I discussed with Amon. I had given him an aged My Father Limited Edition 2010 in about 2014/15 I believe. Don Pepin, Jaime, Janny Garcia are some of the most beautiful people I have ever met. They know how to make great cigars. The Le Bijou has this silky smooth wrapper thats unmatched. The binder and filler are peppery but not overbearing. The progression and smoothness that it finishes off with is impecable. In body and in strength this cigar builds up so you have to make sure you have had a full meal. Their product and Brands are strong and are always consistent. This was fun and special to be able to record this experience.

In this episode we talk about the My Father Le Bijou cigar, foot bands on a cigar also known as secondary bands, Grand Robusto, strong cigars and pairing cigars with wine.

If there are words or terms that you’re unfamiliar within this episode, we highly recommend you check out the Sunday Cigar Glossary.

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We would love to hear your thoughts on the episode. Leave a comment on the Apple Podcast App and don’t forget to rate the show.

Sunday Cigar

Oliva Series V Melanio

Published

2 months ago

August 9, 2020

Juan Sanchez

Oliva Series V Melanio, Photography by Amon Focus

Cigar Details

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

The only way to understand the reason why I love this cigar and have been smoking it has to do with someone who is not in the cigar industry. My great friends Joe and Ruth Bollo who are cigar smokers and some of the kindest people I know introduced me to Dom “The Mayor”. Dominick owns Cuban Pete’s in Monclair NJ and is fan of smoking a nice cigar or a tobacco pipe after a long shift at his restaurant. The Bollos and I would have dinner there on the weekends and essentially smoke with him after he was done closing the place down. We would hold court in the outdoor seating area for hours.

Once Dom likes a cigar, it’s difficult to pull him away, he’s a creature of habit. One night as Joe and I puffed on some Fuentes, Dom said “Juan what, you don’t like the Series V?” I replied with “Yea its pretty good”. Dom took my cigar, tossed it and handed me a Melanio. I looked at him with a calm look and said “Man I was enjoying that Fuente”, to which he replied “And now you’ll enjoy this”. I can’t lie I wanted to not like it. I don’t know if it was the pressure of the moment but I fell in love with the profile. After that Dom would have a box ready for us to smoke whenever we go to visit and at Cuban Pete’s is the only place outside of recording the Podcast that I have enjoyed the Melanio or even smoked it.

In this episode we talk about cigars for special occasions, vacation cigars, choosing a cigar, thinking about environment, rye, time and place.

If there are words or terms that you’re unfamiliar within this episode, we highly recommend you check out the Sunday Cigar Glossary.

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We would love to hear your thoughts on the episode. Leave a comment on the Apple Podcast App and don’t forget to rate the show.